Even the Stylish have Bad Days

Dress - Motherhood Maternity; Boots - Macy's; Vest - Tommy Hilfiger (vis Macy's); Belt - Baby Phat (thrifted); Sock Tops
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This outfit is a product of my compulsive need to make maternity clothes work in a non-maternity way. This dress failed. I loved the color blocking, and it was one of my faves when I was prego with both babies, but this dress will have to be retired to await my little sister getting pregnant.
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It probably didn't help that I woke up too late to wash my hair, which needed it badly, but I felt frumpy all day.
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Rating - One Thumb Sideways (husby), One Thumb Down

Great Barrier Reef

Cardi, Dress and Tank - Old Navy; Tights - JC Penny; Belt - NY & Co;

Shoes - Madden (thrifted); Bracelet and Necklace - Premeire

When I bought these shoes, I thought that they were red. But upon closer inspection at home, they are a faded red-y, pink-y, orange-y kind of mix, which almost match perfectly to this coral sweater fom Old Navy. I loved this outfit, especially the uber feminine ruffles of the dress, and got tons of compliments. A closeup of the dress. I am still looking for the perfect red pump to replace the ones that my post baby feet won't fit into.

I actually fell in love with the dress last summer, but it was priced at nearly $40, way too much for me to spend on a sun dress. Imagine my amazement and surprise when I was looking for tights at ON and came across this on a clearance rack, in my size for $3.49. Sorry, Husby, but I had to splurge on myself. Maybe good things do come to those who wait :-)

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Husby, however, did not like this outfit nearly as much as I did. He said it was 'OK'. When I asked what was wrong, he said he didn't like the colors. That's okay with me. If he had said, 'You look really fat in it' or 'That belt doesn't give you a nice curve', or 'The shoes make your ankles look think', then I'd have probably changed. My color choices....as long as I'm happy with them, that's all that matters to me.
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Rating - One Thumb Up, One Thumb Sideways

Stylish Librarian

Shirt - Thrifted; Vest - August Silk (Macy's - FREE); Skirt - Chico's (FREE from MOM);

Shoes - Madden (Thrifted); Belt - NY & Co; Necklace - Target

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Husby wasn't fond of this outfit. He said, the skirt and vest matched, but the shirt just looked weird. The shirt was my favorite part. Husby and I don't always agree.

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The OHW in this outfit is the shirt. I got it quite a while ago, and wore it with a brown cardi, but wasn't really sure what else I could pair it with, since it's a bit snug around the belly. I'm really happy with how this turned out. And the sweater tank being worn as a vest has given me ideas of other things I can do with this one. This is the first time wearing the Chico's skirt. It's kind of an odd sweater material, but the color is a great oatmeal neutral. I'm going to try to wear this as much as I can before the weather gets so warm that it starts to bother my thighs.

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I've also been trying to experiment more with my hair. I started growing my hair out in the first place because I was tired of looking the same every day. But now that I have long hair, I fix it the same way nearly every day. A lady in the bathroom at work told me I looked like a stylish librarian. I can handle that.

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Rating - One Thumb Up, One Thumb Sideways

Glittery Diva

Sequined T - Macys (FREE); Pants - Style & Co (via Macy's - FREE); Cardi - Style & Co;

Bracelet and Necklace - Premeire; Ring - Steinmart; Shoes - Steve Madden (thrifted)

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I felt like this outfit looked much better in the mirror than it did in the photos. But that's part of what the photos are for. If I could go back and rework, I'd button the sweater and put the belt over the top to give me a bit more shape. I'd hem the pants or cuff them to make them ankle length, cause here they just look too short. And finally, I'd add some brighter shoes or accessories to brighten it up. A little too bland and dark. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. The only OHW in this outfit is the bracelet, and I consider that cheating. I was just too excited to wear my new FREE items that I had to put them together.
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Rating - One Thumb Up (Husby - really liked the sparkly shirt), One Thumb Down (me)

Grunge Faux Pas

Vest - August Silk (TJ Maxx); Plaid Tunic - Style & Co (Macy's); Skirt - Old Navy;

Boots - Macy's; Belt - Steinmart; Bracelet - thrifted; Earrings - Premiere
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The OHW for this outfit is the tunic, but this outfit represents a first for me. The first time wearing brown and black together. Also told since childhood that this was a fashion faux pas, I've seen others pairing brown and black lately and have been dying to try it. When I found this tunic at Macy's a few months ago, with brown and black lines making the plaid (it also mixes silver and gold), I found my perfect opportunity. Of course, the first time I wore it I chickened out and wore it with black leggings, sweater and boots. Baby steps.
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While Husby didn't like this outfit because it was too segmented, I absolutely LOVED it for the very same reason. The breaks added interest and made the outfit visually stimulating, while elongating me and taking focus off of my apple shape. I felt long and lean and fabulous all day long.
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And, Style Underdog, I am sporting Sock Tops.....I'll be suprised if I have any whole socks by the end of the winter.... THANK YOU!!!
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Rating - One Thumb Sideways (Husby), One Thumb Up (ME!)

My Evil Twin Donna

Shirt - NY & Co (thrifted); Pants - Steinmart; Vest - August Silk (TJ Maxx);

Shoes - Jessica Simpson Ballet Flats (thrifted); Belt - Baby Phat (thrifted)

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This outfit is not at all in the theme of the month, having not a singe One Hit Wonder involved, but it was an outfit from a few weeks back that I realized I hadn't posted. In the spirit of the blog, I'm including it now.

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I was raised in a very strict catholic home, and lived in both the fear of God and my mother, so I was always a good little girl that followed the rules and didn't do anything bad. But there were times when I wanted to (especially when I got into high school), and while I'd like to say I was too resolved, I was really too chicken shit to stray from the straight and narrow. I imagined that I had an evil twin named Donna who would drink and smoke and make out with boys, shop lift, swear...all of the things that I could never bring myself to try. Probably explains a lot of my rebelling when I moved out on my own...not the brightest period of my life, but I digress.

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When I got to work wearing this outfit, more than one person told me I looked like Donna from That 70's Show. I couldn't help but snicker thinking of my evil twin and all of the naughty things I imagined she'd do.

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Rating - One Thumb Sideways (husby); One Thumb Up (me)

Sweater Dress

Sweater Dress - Old Navy; Tee - Steinmart; Leggings - Gift; Shoes - Payless;

Belt - Steinmart; Cuff - Premiere

This sweater is the OHW today. I bought this sweater right after I had my son, wore it to my sister's church Christmas Program last year, and haven't worn it since. I couldn't think of anything to do with it to make it different. Once again, no imagination. And, I felt like it didn't do anything to flatter my apple figure. Just goes to show you how much my fellow bloggers like Kasmira, Jessica, Kinsey, Kendi, Underdog and Curvy (just to name a few) have really insprired me and opened my eyes in the past year. This isn't my favorite outfit, but I was warm and comfy all day and I got quite a few compliments on the belt (definitely my fave part of the ensemble). Of course, it was nice to come home, plop on the couch, and snuggle with my babies without having to change. There is definitely something to say for comfort. Will I get rid of my heels and skirts?? NEVER!!

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Rating - One Thumb Up (husby); One Thumb Sideways (me)

Can I Quote You on That?

Jacket - Old Navy (thrifted); Shirt - Steinmart; Skirt - JC Penny;

Shoes - Madden (thrifted); Bracelet and Necklace - Premiere;

Belt - Steinmart

Husby said that I looked like a reporter...so I gave him a reporter :-)

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Husby thought this outfit was okay. I thought it was faboo. I felt great in this outfit all day, and got quite a few compliments. The shoes, however, only made it to lunch, since the bathroom is on the other side of the building and they hurt.
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Rating - One thumb sideways, One thumb up

Frumpy Skirt

Shirt - Macy's; Skirt - Steinmart; Shoes - Payless;

Necklace and Bracelet - Premiere

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This skirt hasn't been worn in 3 years because a) I couldn't zip it up and b) I thought it was too frumpy. While it's still not my favorite skirt, I found that if I added a funky hip top and fun shoes and accessorized it right, the frump could be minimized. It is a bit long, which I think makes me look a bit old, but overall a nice, clean, conservative with a bit of sass work outfit.

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And I did do my happy dance a bit when I zipped it up :-)

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Husby instituted a new rating system this morning. When I expressed my frustrations with statements like 'You look very Teal today' or 'You look like a teacher', we agreed that a better system would be a Thumb Rating. Thumbs up for good, down for bad, and sideways for indifference.

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Rating - One Thumb Sideways